Meeting between Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and Slovenian Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitrij Rupel in Otočac on the River Krka, on July 23, 2005

Apart from Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Minister Rupel, State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Republic of Croatia Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry Hido Biščević and State Secretary at the Republic of Slovenia Foreign Affairs Ministry Božo Cerar also participated at the meeting. The two are in charge of the implementation of the Joint Statement on the Avoidance of Incidents, signed on Brijuni on June 10, 2005.

The Ministers discussed the implementation of the Joint Statement of the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia Governments on the avoidance of incidents, the actual measures taken for its implementation, the Agreement on cross-border traffic and co-operation (SOPS), the projects of connection on the Mura River, and Croatia's accession to the European Union.

The Republic of Croatia and Republic of Slovenia Foreign Affairs Ministers confirmed, at the meeting, the two countries' political willingness to develop good neighbourly relations and to avoid incidents by enabling peaceful, stabile, and undisturbed economy activities to take place in cross-border area, which would make the lives of people living next to the border much easier. They stressed the two countries would solve future possible incidents in agreement, and would harmonize their activities so as to let no incidents happen, and warned of the responsibility of competent bodies of local self-government in implementing the Joint Statement on the avoidance of incidents.

The Ministers agreed honouring of the Agreement on cross-border traffic and co-operation (SOPS) was one of the Statement's main issues and supported the consistent implementation of the Agreement, which would help strengthen mutual trust and co-operation. The Croatian side reported to the Slovenian side it would deliver, during next week, its comments on the informal proposal of the European Commission regulations for fisheries according to SOPS. Both sides are considering forming a joint fishery inspection.

The Ministers discussed the projects of connection on the Mura River, at the initiative of the two Prime Ministers, and welcomed the work done so far and the talks held between the Transport Ministers. They supported the continuation of talks between the resource ministers in order to reach an optimal European solution, which would coincide with the needs of the local people.

At the meeting, it was agreed that, if all technical requirements are met and the legal situation made clear, a rebuilt Slovenian ferry-boat would to be brought back into use on the Mura River, until the construction of a bridge finishes.

The Ministers agreed Slovenia should speed up the ratification process of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double-Tax, signed on Brijuni, on June 10, 2005.

The Republic of Slovenia Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitrij Rupel presented to the Croatian side Slovenia's efforts made to keep the EU enlargement issue high on the agenda. Slovenia wishes for the Republic of Croatia to start its EU accession negotiations as soon as possible, although consensus among all EU member countries is needed.